21st South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission Meeting

The South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) is the International Hydrographic Organisation’s (IHO) body for coordination, collaboration and the furthering of the IHO’s intended outcomes for the South West Pacific.

This annual meeting, currently chaired by Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) and Co-chaired by the Fiji Hydrographic Office (FHO), is unique in that it brings together the hydrographers and Hydrographic Authorities’ from almost all the nations in the South West Pacific, the Primary Charting Authorities with engagement in the region (including AHO, Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office and the French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Authority (SHOM)) as well as NGO’s, industry Experts, regional coordination bodies, observer nations and more.

The intent of the group is to work together to assist the region in improving safety of navigation through data gathering, updating charting, technical support, innovation, supporting aids to navigation and encouraging collaboration and IHO and SWP led initiatives. Many of the nation’s attending this Commission have significant ocean areas of responsibility, but often limited resources to conduct the work to ensure the safety of navigation, which is fundamental to their internal logistics, international trade and economies; without even considering the effort required for their S-100 transition. So this gathering is of great importance to many of these in nations pursuing their national maritime objectives.

This meeting is extremely proactive and sees all nations working together to resolve individual and collective issues, identify capacity building opportunities, promote initiatives such as woman in hydrography, grow future leaders through the hydrographic leadership program, address S-100 transition and much more. It also provides a venue for side meetings and working groups such as Capacity building and the Pacific Geospatial and Survey Council (PGSC).

For IIC Technologies Australasia this is one of the most important gatherings in the year as it allows an understanding of the regional challenges, gives opportunity for IIC to highlight its activities that are helping to meet the challenges and to identify IIC’s services, development and training that can assist in capacity building. However, beyond all of these great things it is also a fantastic opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues in the Community.